Our Gastroenterology Blog

Posts for tag: Blood in Stool

It can be a startling experience to discover blood in your stool. Though bloody stools are often the sign of serious medical conditions, they are not always a cause for concern. Discover the common meanings of bloody stool and how it can affect you with help from your gastroenterologist. Find out more about bloody stool and what it signals with Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates in Patchogue, NY, and serving Suffolk County, NY.

What causes bloody stool?

Your digestive tract runs from your mouth to your anus and includes all of the areas through which food passes, including the esophagus, stomach, colon, small intestine, and more. Blood in stool indicates that there is bleeding somewhere along the digestive tract. In some cases, the blood will be obvious and discovered by the patient themselves. Other cases have small traces of blood in stool not seen by the naked eye, requiring a test to check for blood.

What are some common conditions related to blood in stool?

Bright red blood in stool indicates a bleed somewhere toward the bottom of the digestive tract, while black or dark red blood indicates a bleed higher up in the digestive tract. An anal fissure is a small cut or tear in the anus tissue, causing bright red blood in stool. Certain diseases and infections like cancer or peptic ulcers cause bloody stools as well, though many cases of cancer require a test to indicate small traces of blood in stool while conditions like ulcers have a more obvious bloody appearance. Colitis, which causes inflammation and irritation of the colon, can also cause bloody stools.

Bloody Stool Treatments in Patchogue and Suffolk County, NY

Treating your bloody stool will require a diagnosis and vary depending on the condition causing the bleeding. Conditions like cancer require much more in-depth and complex treatments, such as chemotherapy, than an anal fissure, which requires simple methods to heal. In some cases, issues like polyps or inflammatory bowel disease may require surgery. However, some treatments will require simple lifestyle changes like eating more fiber or sitting in a hot bath. With your gastroenterologist’s guidance, you can find the best treatment plan for you.

If you have bloody stool, the best course of action is to contact your physician. For more information on blood in stool or what it means for you, please contact Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates in Patchogue, NY, and serving Suffolk County, NY. Call (631) 289-0300 to schedule an appointment with your gastroenterologist today!

Seeing blood in your stool can be a frightening experience. It can also be embarrassing to discuss even with your doctor, so you might feel conflicted about what's causing the blood and how to deal with it. The gastroenterology professionals at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates in Suffolk County, NY, see many patients with this issue, which is more common than you might think. Below, they explain some of the reasons why people find blood in their stool.

Red blood

The color of the blood in the stool is an important item to share with your Suffolk County gastroenterologist, as this can help them determine where in the body it's coming from. Red blood, for example, indicates that the problem is with something in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract; the small intestine or the colon. Hemorrhoids are one such cause, and while the sight of blood can be distressing, hemorrhoids are typically self-limiting. Constipation can also strain the anal area, producing anal fissures that can bleed during bowel movements. If you've been diagnosed with either of these problems, try increasing the fiber in your diet to deal with the discomfort.

Dark blood

Blood that comes from the upper GI tract - the esophagus, stomach or large intestine - is often due to ulcers. These lesions in the lining of the stomach are common and their treatment is fairly simple, but they must be diagnosed by your gastroenterologist through imaging tests.

Though uncommon, blood in the stool can be a sign of colon cancer. For patients who are over 50 or at risk for developing this cancer, your gastroenterologist recommends regular cancer screenings, as the blood in the stool is often not immediately seen and shows up only on lab tests.

Contact Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates in Suffolk County, NY, with any gastrointestinal-related problems you may be having. This field of medicine is our providers' speciality and they want to help you!

Finding blood in your stool can be a frightening experience for anyone. Whether you find it yourself or as the result of a blood test, bloody stool can be the sign of serious medical problems. Luckily, that is not always the case. Your Suffolk County Gastroenterologist can assist you in diagnosing and treating any problem you may have.

How do I know if I have blood in my stool?
In some cases, you may be able to see that you have bloody stool. It may be visible as bright red on the tissue or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. On the other hand, you may notice a black tarry substance in your stool, meaning that the bleeding is higher in the digestive tract. Sometimes, blood in your stool is unable to been seen by the naked eye, and can be detected by tests ordered by your doctor.

What are some causes of bloody stool?
There are many causes of blood in the stool, ranging from mild to severe. While not every case requires immediate medical attention, it is important to get any abnormalities or sudden changes checked by your doctor. Some common causes of bloody stool are:

Angiodysplasia: This condition makes blood vessels fragile and prone to bleeding, which can cause blood in the stool.

Anal fissure: Anal fissures are a small cut or tear in the tissue along the anus. They often make it painful to pass a bowel movement.

Colitis: Inflammation of the colon can cause bleeding or inflammatory bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Diverticular disease: Small pouches, or diverticula, form on the wall of the colon, and usually do not cause any symptoms. However, sometimes the pouches can become infected and bleed.

Peptic ulcers: These open sores in the upper intestine or on the lining of the stomach are caused by bacteria or long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Polyps or cancer: Polyps are benign, and could potentially grow into cancerous growths. Blood in the stool caused by polyps or cancer is not able to been seen with the naked eye.

What do I do if I find blood in my stool?
If you can see blood in your stool, it is never a bad idea to have an examination or colonoscopy preformed by your doctor. If the bloody stools are accompanied by a persistent fever, weight loss, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or you are over 50 years of age, you should have testing done as soon as possible.

The best way to find out if your bloody stool is the result of something more severe is to visit your doctor at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates in Suffolk County, NY. Call (631) 289-0300 to schedule your appointment today.

Blood in Stool: What does this mean?

You have just finished passing a bowel movement when you see it -- clay-colored to reddish streaks in your stool. Patients who notice blood in their stools in Suffolk County should not ignore these symptoms -- they can indicate an underlying condition that Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates physicians can likely treat.

Blood in your stool can take on many appearances. For example, you may only see streaks of blood in the toilet, streaks of red on your stool itself or blood on your toilet paper. This blood is not always bright red. Instead, it may be black, dark red or brick-colored. The color can give the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates a clue into what could be going on. For example, blood in stool that comes from digestive tract bleeding is often black because stomach acid can cause blood to turn black in appearance.

Why Am I Seeing Blood in My Stool?

Multiple reasons exist as to why you could be seeing blood in your stool. These range from something outside or close to your rectum, such as an anal fissure or hemorrhoid, to a cause in your upper digestive tract, such as a peptic ulcer. Other causes could include ulcerative colitis or diverticulosis. As a big concern, blood in your stool can be a symptom of colon cancer.

Anyone in Suffolk County who sees blood in his or her stool should seek treatment with the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates. While the situation may be a minor concern, each gastroenterologist at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates can work to identify this condition while ruling out more severe conditions, such as colon cancer. An examination is almost always required to identify rectal bleeding causes. The gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates will also ask you questions about when you first noticed the blood, what it looks like and if you have any other symptoms that could be related to rectal bleeding.

Ways the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates may attempt to diagnose your rectal bleeding cause, include blood testing to determine if you have low blood levels. A rectal examination may help to identify hemorrhoids. In some instances, the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates may recommend diagnostic procedures, such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to view the inner intestinal lining. This allows the gastroenterologists at Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates to determine if you have diverticulosis pocket, colon polyps or signs of colon cancer present in your digestive tract.

If you live in Suffolk County and suspect you or a loved one may have blood in your stool, contact Brookhaven Gastroenterology Associates at (631) 289-0300. If you are experiencing severe or significant bleeding from your rectum, seek emergency medical attention.